Homemade Granola

I love sugar.  Love, love, LOVE sugar.  But I have been trying to cut back on the sugar intake and instead eat fruit.  It's not been easy.

If you have a sweet tooth like I do this granola recipe will hit the spot.

Homemade Granola
(Adapted from Food Network)

3 c old fashioned oats
2 c coconut flakes
1 c dried apricots, chopped
1/2 c pecans, coarsely chopped
1/4 c brown sugar (I haven't tried, but you can probably omit this)
3 T vegetable oil
3 T agave nectar
1/4 t maple extract
1 t vanilla extract
1/4 t kosher salt

Arrange racks in the center of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees F.  Toss oats, coconut, apricots, and pecans in a large bowl.  In a second bowl whisk together brown sugar, oil, nectar, maple extract, vanilla, and kosher salt.  Drizzle over oat mixture.  Spray a jelly roll pan with cooking spray and spread the oat mixture evenly over entire surface.  Cook for 8 min.  Rotate pan and using a spoon stir the granola so it will cook evenly.  Cook for an additional 7 min. or until golden brown (my oven took an extra 5 min.)  Remove from oven and add to the large bowl so it will stop cooking.

Pour yourself a bowl, add some milk, and top with strawberries or bananas.  I like it better than the sweet boxed/bagged cereals I used to eat in the morning.  This granola is also great on yogurt or ice cream.

I love it!  Let me know what you think.

Other healthy ideas:

Basic Smoothie Recipe

Make Some Healthy Goals

Popsicle Stick Workout